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March 13, 2015

The Benefits of Crate Training #CrateHappyPets

This post is sponsored by PetSmart, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Containment Products and Education for your pet, but Golden Daily Scoop only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article.

When properly used, the crate can be a wonderful training and management tool. Crates and crate training tends to get a bad rap and some perceive it as punishment.

I crate trained all three of my Goldens and had success each time. Today, it is a place for them to go and relax when they want some quiet time and a place they happily stay when I can't be at home with them for a long period of time.

As you can see, Bruin thinks he's the king of his castle...

Benefits of Using a Crate

A crate is one of your most important puppy purchases because it's going to help with potty training and it will provide a safe and secure place for your puppy to rest and sleep at night.

Introducing a new dog into the family and pack can be a stressful time. A crate will give your new dog a sense of security and a place of his own while getting acquainted with his new family and surroundings.

If you have a mischievous dog that tends to get himself into trouble while you're away, a crate can be a safe place for him to stay. It will put you at ease and keep you're house from being destroyed.

Certain crates are great to use when traveling with your pet whether it's a trip to the vets or going on vacation.

Tips for Crating Success:

Introduce the crate to them with ease. Leave the door open, toss in a few treats and let them wander in and out on their own while giving them lots of praise.

Canines are natural den creatures, it's in their instinct. So you want to make sure they feel secure when they are in their crate by giving them some toys to comfort them.

Establish a schedule so your dog will know the routine of crate time. Whether it's during the day when you are out of the house or at night when it's time for bed. The more dog's can anticipate what's going to happen, the happier they will be.

Most importantly, never use the crate for punishment. You want to create only positive associations with his new den.

During the month of March, all crates, kennels, carriers and accessories are on sale at your local PetSmart® store and online. PetSmart has a great Overview of all their crating options to help you choose the one that is best for your pet. Did you know that all of their plastic crates are airline compliant?

This is the crate we have for Miley, Maggie and Bruin...

You want to make sure it is just big enough for them to stand up and turn around easily in, as Bruin is doing below...

So if you're thinking of getting a puppy, adopting a new dog or your dealing with behavioral issues, consider the benefits of crate training. Here is a great resource to get you started and on your way to having a #CrateHappyPet!

Lastly, it's all about the routine. Here is a quick video of Jordyn putting the dogs in their crates before we head out to soccer for the day....

29 comments:

You're right - there are a ton of uses for a crate with pets. They are very helpful devices. Your dog looks very at home in his crate. I love the stuffed animal that is in there with him too :)-Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net

Thanks for stopping by, Robin! I don't know what I'd do without our crates, so lucky that the dogs easily adapted to them. Bruin has had that stuffie since the day he came home, can't believe it hasn't been de-stuffed yet! :)

Great post on a wonderful training tool ~ nice video, too :-) We crate trained our pups as well as soon as they came to live with us at 8 weeks of age, and their crates represent a quiet location where they can relax and hang out whenever they want to.

Missy & Buzz have earned our trust in being well-behaved when we're gone, and thus have the run of our downstairs when we're not home with them. We do, however, leave the crates open so they can choose to hang out in there if they want to.

We actively use their crates when needing to keep them out of the way of any maintenance technician or when we're visiting family or friends with other dogs.

Miley and Maggie earned our trust as well but then when Bruin came along we started using the crates more often. We also leave the crates open for when they need a break from each other. Thanks for stopping by!

Howdy Mates. That was a wonderful video. Mum had never heard of crate training until just before I came into the household. It doesn't seem to be a big thing here in Oz. She tried it with me and it was the best thing ever. We don't use one now but for the first year of my life it was great. With Rory though, she did not invest in one but our laundry was sort of our safe place and we slept together in there. He would need a mighty big crate though, wouldn't he, hehe. Have a wonderful weekend. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

We crate the dogs when we aren't home and when we travel in the cars. Well Thunder gets to be out sometimes when we aren't home now that he is a senior. :) Life is so much easier with crate trained dogs.

We have always used crates and our dogs have loved them. Dear Ellie often went to her crate when we had too much company and the talk was too loud. Door open but still she felt safer. Lucy is happy to go into her crate at night, but rarely uses it during the day like Ellie did. None of our dogs has ever seen the crate as anything but a safe haven of their own.

That's wonderful, it definitely is a safe place and it's so important that they feel that as well. Bruin was wondering why I was outside his crate taking pics, I think he wanted a little bit of privacy! lol

Luke was the first dog we've had that we crate trained, and it was the best thing we ever did! It really saved my sanity. He outgrew the crate we had, so we don't use one anymore, but we will use one for all future puppies.Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

We agree that routine is the best. We know we need crates for nose work, and we are happy to use them because we know it means nose work. Bailie was trained since she was tiny and she is happy to go in her crate any time.